Tag: stories

Time to hit the roads this springtime and visit all the beautiful, wonderful parts of my home state of West-by God-Virginia! The sweet spring air is calling me to the mountain roads to visit the great folks here in the state and discover the hidden gems along the way. I enjoy meeting all the small businesses that are the backbone of our state, the mom and pop places as I affectionately call them.

As I start out on my journey, I begin by sharing one of the newest restaurants to open here in downtown Martinsburg, Boyd’s Steakhouse.

Owner H.D. Boyd turned this once notorious speakeasy location into a fine dining steakhouse with a wink and a nod to the Prohibition era, including a bar purchased from the estate of Al Capone, now serving up bourbon and and our moonshine in style.

Five cocktail recipes featuring First Harvest Moonshine are on the menu, including one of the best all time recipes Glen and I have ever tasted, called ‘Almost Heaven.’ It is the go-to cocktail for friends and family to sip on a warm spring day or savor over Blue Ridge sunsets from our back deck.

Mixologist maven Caren served up my cocktail and shared a little secret on how to create this shine-tini at home. We call it ‘Country Roads.’

Before there was a Black Draft Distillery, we were just Black Draft Farm with a Percheron draft horse named Biscuit. For ten years we were known as “that farm with the big beautiful horse”. The one that would ride through the nearby neighborhoods, bringing friends and family out of the homes to meet her and go on rides. And, they’d fall in love with her just like we did.

Last fall, we suddenly lost her, and the barn was left empty with her spirit still very much a strong part of the farm.

And that is when we decided to take a new chapter in our lives in a very different direction. We sat down as a family, and decided to start a new business and bring the farm back to life again. We wanted to bring back the plow-to-earth business that would make our ancestors proud, and that could be handed down to the next generation. And that is when we decided to get into the whiskey business.

When it came time to choose a name for the new venture, there was only one that would honor the spirit of our beloved Biscuit. These stories. That horse. These generations. And, that moonshine. This is what brings family and friends together. And that’s what makes moonshine great!

Want a Distillery Tour?

We gladly do Moonshine and Bourbon tours by appointment only. Most tours are done on Saturdays, however.

While here, you'll be able to try our seasonal flavors, along with some cocktail tips... for free, of course.